Tag: abia

One of the soldiers killed by unknown gunmen in Abia state on Thursday was Corporal Lucky Ikechukwu Ikpeama, an Abia indigene who survived five years official posting to Maiduguri, only to get killed in his own state.

According to a source close to the military in Abuja, such insensitive attack against military personnel who are risking their lives to keep citizens safe seriously dampens many soldiers’ morale as they are prepared to die battling terrorists rather than being attacked by those they are protecting.

Although the Abia State Government placed a N25 million bounty on perpetrators of the killing which occurred around 7:45 am at Obikabia Junction, in the Ogbor Hill area of Abia State, IPOB activist in the Diaspora, Simon Ekpa is accusing the state government-sponsored vigilantes of being behind the killing.

In a statement under his social media handles on X, Simon Ekpa alleged that it was government that has been killing those he described as ‘ Biafra young men and women in Abia state’.

“The Biafra government hereby wish to announce that all vigilante in Abia state under Nigeria state establishment is banned, effective from tomorrow 29.5.2024. 

Read Also: JUST IN: Gov Otti places N25m bounty on killers of soldiers in Abia

“The government of Biafra has mandated the BDF to hunt for the terrorists and the killers immediately to avert another tragedy. 

“We can’t allow your terrorism to stay overnight. A new front is therefore opened in Abia State. We call on Biafra to stay away from any Vigilante. 

“In addition to this measures, there will be a special lockdown in Abia state, this lockdown to be announced in later day,” he stated.

In a reaction to the killings, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar condemned it and urged the federal government to explore a political strategy for resolution of Biafran activist, Nnamdi Kanu’s ongoing trial.

According to Atiku whose comments were posted on X, it os the only way to defuse the tension in the Soith East.

“The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned; my thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one, may their souls rest in peace. 

“But even more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations.

“The veil of the so-called Unknown Gun Men hiding under cover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators.

“To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues; I believe that this will defuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties,” Atiku stated.

An unidentified commercial motorcyclist has disappeared with three children from the same family.

The cyclist reportedly disappeared with the children on Friday, 17.

The incident occurred in Amaoba Ime Oboro in the Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, according to our correspondent.

The children’s mother has been admitted to a private hospital after losing consciousness due to the trauma of the incident.

Sources in Ikwuano said that this was the first time such a horrendous act has occurred in the community.

The names of the children were given as Gideon Osinachi (8 years), Divine Osinachi (6 years), and Israel Osinachi (4 years).

Continuing, it was gathered that Gideon is a primary two pupil, while Divine and Israel are both in Nursery 3 and Nursery 1 respectively.

Read Also: Abia CP leads on-site assessment after community attack

A source close to the family said the parents of the children Mrs. Glory Osinachi and her husband, Mr. Osinachi Eluwa have been devastated by the disappearance of their children.

A source at the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), who confirmed the incident said the police were yet to receive an official report over the incident from the affected family, at the time of filing the report.

Abia state Commissioner of Police, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, along with his team and medical personnel from the police clinic, visited Ike-Isu Community in Arochukwu, Abia state. 

This visit was for an on-the-spot assessment following a recent attack by armed men suspected to be from Ukwa village in Odukpani LGA, Cross River state.

The attack was said to have resulted in the injury of 10 individuals from the community. 

During the visit, the CP engaged the community leaders in a dialogue regarding the underlying issues and provided medical supplies to the on-site medical team to aid in the treatment of those affected by the unfortunate incident. 

The CP assured that the federal government security agency is monitoring the area, while investigation on the matter is ongoing.

Recall that governor of Abia state, Dr. Alex Otti has assured his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and properties of its citizens and residents of the state.

Governor Otti during his visit to Isu community to commiserate with the family of Mrs. Blessing K. Elem and to also ascertain the extent of damage in the community following the invasion of the area by the Ukwa community in Cross River state.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the governor ordered the immediate transfer of scores of gunshot victims to a specialist hospital for proper medical attention with attendant bills to be fully paid by the state government.

“I have communicated with the government of Cross River State to call her people to order and stop further infiltration. 

“The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, is saddened over this obnoxious act and enjoins you to remain calm as the government is working hand in glove with the security agencies to ensure that checkpoints are mounted at all entry points into Isu as well as constitute a patrol team. His condolences are with you.

He assured the Isu community of the state government’s resolve to show presence in the long-forgotten area by the previous administrations, by fixing access roads to boundaries in Isu community up to the beach which serves a natural boundary feature, as well as other areas having inter-state boundary issues across the State. 

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He commended the traditional ruler of Isu autonomous community, HRH, Eze Augustine Igwe, President General of Obieze and Ike Isu Communities, Mazi Teddy Kalu and Hon. Nicholas Kalu, respectively, for their maturity in handling the situation.

In his speech, the President General of Ike Isu community, Hon. Nicholas Kalu described Isu people as peace-loving people blessed with abundant limestone deposits which the Ukwa people in Cross River state want to take possession of. 

He regretted the failure of past administrations in bringing economic and infrastructural development to the area but trust the leadership of Dr. Otti in providing basic amenities such as a good road network for easy transportation of agricultural produce and strengthen their communication with other neighboring communities in Arochukwu Local Government Area.

The traditional ruler of Isu Autonomous Community, His Royal Highness, Eze Augustine Igwe, Ike 1 of Isu, thanked the Governor for his prompt visit and appealed for sustained security in the area by building a security camp along the Isu road leading to the beach.

The Abia state government has stated that it is eager to work with Israel to help it realise its full economic and technical potential, particularly in the digital economy, agriculture, human capital, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME).

Governor Alex Otti disclosed this during a visit to Government House, Umuahia, by His Excellency Michael Freeman, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria.

The Israeli ambassador praised Otti for enhancing security in Abia, according to a statement released by Kazie Uko, the governor’s chief press secretary.

He said: “As Israelis, we’re known for many things. One of the things we’re known for is not being so easy on security situations. So, when I received the invitation and had the conversation to come to Abia State, I went back to my Embassy, to my security team, and said, I’ve been invited by the government to come to Abia State.

“I expected the answer to be, ‘You are not going to Abia State, that’s not happening’, but actually the answer came back within a couple of hours, ‘Absolutely, we clear that security wise, you can go’.

“I think, again, there’s another. I’ve been here now in Nigeria  for two years, and other than being in the FCT (Abuja) and other than being in Lagos, this is my first visit outside of those two places, which again I think is a tribute to you, it’s a tribute to your work, it’s a tribute to everything that is happening here (in Abia).”

The Israeli ambassador noted that there are many similarities between Israel, Nigeria, and Abia, especially their entrepreneurial drive. He called his visit to Abia noteworthy, given that it occurred on the day when the Jewish nation was commemorating its 76th year of independence.

He said: “We both have a very young population. We both have a population that is innovative, that is determined to do better than their peers and to continually strive. Nobody taking ‘no’ for an answer, okay.

“For us, and I know it’s the same for Nigerians if the door is closed, then you’re coming through the window and if the window is closed, you’re coming in through the ceiling into the room, and that is very much an Israeli trait.”

He added that by combining technology and creativity, the governments of Israel and Abia might achieve great things in the field of agriculture.

“We are blessed to have leading agriculture experts in the world and specifically in areas of cassava, rice and cocoa production.

“It takes 5,000 litres of water to grow one kilogramme of rice. It is a huge amount of water, but Israel has discovered a technology that allows you to grow one kilogramme of rice with 1,500 litres of water, and using the drip technology you can grow it anywhere,” he said.

Governor Otti embraced the notion of cooperation, thanking the Israeli Ambassador for his visit and accepting his offer to visit Israel.

He said: “I’m very pleased, very happy to receive Your Excellency, the Ambassador, today in Abia State. I’m more enamoured to listen to you speak passionately about some of the things that are so, so important to us as a government and as a people.

“I’m very happy and I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that the state government will partner with you and work closely with you.

“Listening to you, you have a clear understanding of how the economy works, particularly the modern economy, and you have also done extensive research, particularly the things that are important to us in Abia.”

He claimed that the people’s tenacity and fortitude in the face of the present economic climate and the shortcomings of previous governments had inspired him to continue developing policies and initiatives that would enhance their well-being and support the success of their enterprises.

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“After extensive research about the things that are important to us and the resources that are available, in fact, I would say that the most important resource we have are the human beings.

“The ‘can do spirit’ of our people the creativity, the innovativeness, the never say die attitude of our people, that’s actually what keeps us going

“Our people, despite the difficulties and failures of governance they have faced in the past, have continued to trudge on, to fight.

“They are so resilient and when I look at them and their spirit that is what keeps me going. I am encouraged to work for them,” Governor Otti said.